GOVERNOR SCHWARZENEGGER INCLUDED VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AS PART OF HIS BUDGET PROPOSAL, AND TODAY HE HIGHLITED HIS PROPOSAL. HE SPOKE IN THE CITY OF NORCO, AT NORCO HIGH SCHOOL, WINNER OF THE CALIFORNIA DISTINGUISHED SCHOOL AWARD 2003. THE GOVERNOR SAID ?WE NEED BIG REFORMS THAT WILL CHANGE THE WHOLE CULTURE OF CALIFORNIA EDUCATION. I HAVE ALWAYS SAID THAT CHILDREN HAVE THE FIRST CALL ON THE STATE'S TREASURY. THAT IS WHY MY BUDGET CALLS FOR EDUCATION SPENDING TO INCREASE BY $2.9 BILLION THIS YEAR. THAT'S AN EXTRA $362 DOLLARS OVER LAST YEAR FOR EVERY K-12 STUDENT. AND WE ARE SPENDING AN ADDITIONAL $380 MILLION ON HIGHER EDUCATION. BUT WE CAN'T LOOK AT MONEY ALONE AND SAY WE ARE DOING OUR JOB. SPENDING GOES UP EVERY YEAR, BUT WE STILL HAVE TOO MANY FAILING SCHOOLS AND TOO MANY KIDS DROPPING OUT." ACCORDING TO THE GOVERNOR, THE BASIC TENET OF HIS PROPOSALS PROVIDE ACCESS FOR EVERY STUDENT TO WHATEVER CAREER PATH THEY CHOOSE, WHETHER THAT PATH INCLUDES HIGHER EDUCATION AFTER HIGH SCHOOL OR IMMEDIATE ENTRY INTO THE WORKFORCE.